I hate black coffee, but it’s the fastest thing I can think of. She hands me my bounty just as the older couple fully vacates their seats. I shuffle over there, sliding into a chair before a guy wearing aKnotty by Natureband tee gets there. He looks so young—definitely an underclassmen—did Hunter and I ever look that young? He glares at me, but you snooze, you lose, kid.
Madison’s back is to mine, so she hasn’t noticed I’m here. As I’m wondering how to insert myself into their conversation, a scent tickles my nose that has me freezing inplace. Refreshing like all my favorite days at sea. Salty. Citrusy. Boozy. It makes me think of the time I got Hunter drunk on margaritas. Kissing him with salty lips. My dick responds instantly.
There are only two people that scent could be coming from, and Madison wouldn’t risk not wearing scent blockers on campus when it could cost her degree. So, I guess this guy isn’t a student. Damn, he smells good. His scent is making my teeth ache. No wonder the little omega bonded him so quickly.
While I’m trying to get myself under control, something Madison says catches my attention.
“We’re going to have to get you something a little fancier for dinner tonight.”
“Are these clothes not acceptable?” His voice has a smooth quality to it, like water flowing over stone. There’s a slight accent, but I can’t place it.
I’m usually good with accents. I’ve traveled a lot for work, and even more since Sebastian came into my life. He’s always jetting off to some conference or meeting or some other shit I don’t understand, and I join him when I’m able. Seb is shy to a fault. He doesn’t really like being in a crowd, especially with alphas, so traveling is hard for him, even though he does it so often. It’s a miracle he ever gave me a chance. It only happened because we met online, and he didn’t know my designation until we’d already built some trust.
Why the hell am I thinking about what Sebby would think of these two? I’m not interested in them. Hunter is.
“Your clothes are fine while we’re here, but you don’t understand, Caspian, my parents,” Madison sighs heavily, “my parents are bougie and insist on eating at restaurants that have a dress code.”
Caspian.That’s right. Even his name is hot. Caspian and Madison. There’s a nice ring to their names together. I can’t help imagining being between them, a Caspian and Madison sandwich. Fuck, now I’m fully hard. Maybe Iama little interested in them. Even if I really shouldn’t be.
“Boogie?” Caspian asks.
“No boug—nevermind it isn’t important.Le Petit Palaisisn’t my favorite restaurant, but I refuse to argue with my mother. It isn’t worth it,” Madison explains.
“I understand. My mother is also not one who loses arguments,” Caspian responds.
He continues on, but I don’t process what he’s saying.Le Petit Palais.
I whip out my phone to text Hunter.
When are you done with your meetings?
Hunter:
Why…
Be ready by six. We’ve got plans.
19
Caspian can likely feel my anxiety through the bond, and I don’t want to worry him, but it’s impossible to keep my heart from racing when it comes to dinner with my parents. Maybe I should look up some new calming techniques, because my normal ones aren’t working. I wonder if there’s any research on the best ways to tell your parents you accidentally bonded someone—who happens to be a merman. That actually gets a manic little giggle from me as I swipe on another layer of lipstick.
Doubt there are any studies about that. But I bet there are studies about accidental bondings. What causes them, what situations they’re more likely to occur under, the psychological effects on both parties. I’ll have to look that up later. Maybe Evie knows something about it. Thinking of research makes me feel marginally calmer, and I’m able to put my eyeliner on without shaking.
At least Caspian’s been sweet about it all. He hasn’t pushed or prodded. He’s given me space to get ready like Iasked. I don’t want him to think I’m rejecting him, I just need to get my head on straight before dinner.
My parents aren’tbadpeople, they just have standards they expect everyone around them to uphold. Standards I don’t meet. And when they find out I’ve bonded an alpha they’ve never met, with bright blue hair, tattoos, and no job? Oh, and he’s sort of, kind of, half fish?! I mean, I won’t tell them that part, but I can’t stop thinking about what they’ll say if they find out.
“Ugh, this is going to be a disaster.” I groan as I finish my makeup.
My mate comes into the bedroom, no longer able to resist wrapping his arms around me and purring to soothe my nerves. It works. Kinda.
When my shoulders relax, he kisses my temple sweetly. “It will be okay, starfish. I promise.”
He means well, but unfortunately he has no idea what kind of inferno we’re walking into.
Gently tugging from his hold, I grab my dress for tonight. A modern style with an asymmetrical hem in a classic navy. Nothing to grab attention or embarrass my father. When I drop my robe to change, I can feel the heat of Caspian’s desire. His scent blooms with his arousal, and I thank whoever invented slick-absorbent panties. It was bad enough seeing him dressed up in a navy button down and slacks, his hair pulled back into the cutest man-bun and his sleeves rolled up his corded forearms. Add in his attraction flooding the room and the bond? Good lord.
“One more thing, and I’ll be ready.” I move to the dresser, away from temptation.
